Goal frame

ABSTRACT

A goal frame has multiple foldable joints and two upright posts, two bottom bars, an upper cross bar, and a lower cross bar connected with each other via the foldable joints. By pivoting the first and second connectors of each of the foldable joints to be perpendicular with each other, relative positions of the upright posts, the bottom bars, the upper cross bar, and the lower cross bar are fixed and the goal frame is unfolded. By pivoting the first and second connectors of each of the foldable joints to parallel with each other, the upright posts, the bottom bars, the upper cross bar, and the lower cross bar overlap and the goal frame is folded.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a goal frame, especially to a goal frame that can be folded for the convenience of storage and transportation.

2. Description of the Prior Art(s)

In goal sports, such as football, hockey, handball, and the like, the primary method of scoring is to send a ball or a puck between two goal posts of a goal frame. In the end of a match, the team that accumulates the most scores wins.

A conventional goal frame is formed by welding multiple metal bars together. Thus, the conventional goal frame has high structural strength and can sustain high-speed hit from the ball. However, since the conventional goal frame is huge and has constant shape, storing or removing the conventional goal frame is difficult. Therefore, the conventional goal frame is usually placed on a specific position on a sports ground. It is hard to set up the conventional goal frame outside the sports ground for practicing.

Therefore, another conventional goal frame is designed and is formed by connecting multiple bars with joints. Thus, when the bars and the joints are disassembled, space for storing the bars and the joints is greatly reduced and the disassembled bars and joints can be conveniently transported. Moreover, the players can set up the conventional goal frame outside the sports ground for practicing by themselves. However, it is complicated and time consuming to assemble or disassemble the conventional goal frame. The structural strength is low, such that the conventional goal frame collapses easily when being hit by the ball.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a goal frame to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a goal frame. The goal frame has two upright posts, two bottom bars, an upper cross bar, and a lower cross bar connected with each other with multiple foldable joints. Each of the foldable joints has a first connector and a second connector pivotally connected with each other.

By pivoting the first and second connectors of each of the foldable joints to be perpendicular with each other, relative positions of the upright posts, the bottom bars, the upper cross bar, and the lower cross bar are fixed and the goal frame is unfolded.

By pivoting the first and second connectors of each of the foldable joints to parallel with each other, the upright posts, the bottom bars, the upper cross bar, and the lower cross bar overlap and the goal frame is folded.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a goal frame in accordance with the present invention, showing a net is attached to the goal frame;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a foldable joint of the goal frame in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an operational perspective view of the foldable joint in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the foldable joint in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is another exploded perspective view of the foldable joint in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view in partial section of an upper cross bar of the goal frame in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the upper cross bar of the goal frame in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of an upper cross bar of a goal frame in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an operational side view of the goal frame in FIG. 1, showing the goal frame is being folded; and

FIG. 10 is an operational side view of the goal frame in FIG. 1, showing the goal frame is folded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, a goal frame in accordance with the present invention comprises multiple foldable joints 10, two upright posts 21, two bottom bars 22, an upper cross bar 23, and a lower cross bar 24.

With further reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the foldable joints 10 has a first connector 11, a second connector 12, and a retaining tenon 13.

With further reference to FIG. 4, the first connector 11 has a connecting end, a tenoning end, an axial line, two side panels 111, a mortise recess 112, and at least one engaging groove 113. The tenoning end of the first connector 11 is opposite to the connecting end of the first connector 11. The axial line of the first connector 11 passes through the connecting end of the first connector 11 and the tenoning end of the first connector 11.

The side panels 111 separately protrude from the tenoning end of the first connector 11. Each of the side panels 111 has a proximal end and an inner surface. The inner surface of one of the side panels 111 faces toward the inner surface of the other side panel 111. The mortise recess 112 is defined between the side panels 111. The at least one engaging groove 113 is formed in at least one of the inner surfaces of the side panels 111. Each of the at least one engaging groove 113 is elongated, extends perpendicular to the axial line of the first connector 11, and has two opposite ends. One of the ends of the engaging groove 113 is positioned toward and extends through the proximal end of the side panel 111.

With further reference to FIG. 5, the second connector 12 is pivotally connected to the first connector 11 via a pivot pin 14. The first connector 11 and the second connector 12 selectively pivot relative to each other or are fixed at a specific relative angle. The second connector 12 has a connecting end, a tenoning end, an axial line, a tenoning protrusion 121, a sliding recess 122, and a limiting groove 123. The tenoning end of the second connector 12 is opposite to the connecting end of the second connector 12. The axial line of the second connector 12 passes through the connecting end of the second connector 12 and the tenoning end of the second connector 12.

The tenoning protrusion 121 protrudes from the tenoning end of the second connector 12, extends along the axial line of the second connector 12, and selectively protrudes in the mortise recess 112. The tenoning protrusion 121 has a distal end. The sliding recess 122 is elongated, is formed in the tenoning protrusion 121, extends along the axial line of the second connector 12, and extends through the distal end of the tenoning protrusion 121. A bottom surface is defined in the sliding recess 122. The limiting groove 123 is formed in the bottom surface of the sliding recess 122 and extends along the axial line of the second connector 12.

The retaining tenon 13 is slidably mounted on the second connector 12 and is selectively mounted slidably in the mortise recess 112. The retaining tenon 13 has two opposite side surfaces, at least one engaging protrusion 131, a sliding protrusion 132, and a limiting protrusion 133.

The at least one engaging protrusion 131 is formed on at least one of the side surfaces of the retaining tenon 13 and selectively engages in or disengages from the at least one engaging groove 113 when the retaining tenon 13 slides relative to the first and second connectors 12, 11. When the at least one engaging protrusion 131 engages in the at least one engaging groove 113, a relative angle between the first and second connectors 11, 12 is fixed. When the at least one engaging protrusion 131 disengages from the at least one engaging groove 113, the second connector 12 and the retaining tenon 13 can pivot relative to the first connector 11. In the preferred embodiment, the first connector 11 has two engaging grooves 113 respectively formed in the inner surfaces of the two side panels 111. The retaining tenon 13 has two engaging protrusions 131 respectively formed on the two side surfaces of the retaining tenon 13.

The sliding protrusion 132 is formed on a bottom of the retaining tenon 13 and slidably engages in the sliding recess 122 of the second connector 12. In the preferred embodiment, the sliding recess 122 of the second connector 12 and the sliding protrusion 132 of the retaining tenon 13 are dovetailed in cross-section and correspond in size with each other. The limiting protrusion 133 is formed on the sliding protrusion 132 and slidably protrudes in the limiting groove 123 of the second connector 12. Thus, the retaining tenon 13 does not depart from the second connector 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, the two upright posts 21 are separately disposed parallel to each other. Each of the upright posts 21 has an upper end and a lower end.

The bottom bars 22 are separately disposed parallel to each other. Each of the bottom bars 22 has a rear end and a front end. The front ends of the bottom bars 22 are respectively positioned toward the lower ends of the upright posts 21. The front end of each of the bottom bars 22 is connected to the lower end of a corresponding one of the upright posts 21 via one of the foldable joints 10. Specifically, the front end of the bottom bar 22 and the lower end of the upright post 21 are respectively connected to the connecting end of the first connector 11 and the connecting end of the second connector 12 of the corresponding foldable joint 10. Thus, the upright posts 21 and the bottom bars 22 can pivot and be folded.

The upper cross bar 23 has two opposite ends respectively positioned toward the upper ends of the upright posts 21. Each of the ends of the upper cross bar 23 is connected to the upper end of a corresponding one of the upright posts 21 via one of the foldable joints 10. Specifically, the end of the upper cross bar 23 and the upper end of the upright post 21 are respectively connected to the connecting end of the first connector 11 and the connecting end of the second connector 12 of the corresponding foldable joint 10. Thus, the upright posts 21 and the upper cross bar 23 can pivot and be folded.

The lower cross bar 24 has two opposite ends respectively positioned toward the rear ends of the bottom bars 22. Each of the ends of the lower cross bar 24 is connected to the rear end of a corresponding one of the bottom bars 22 via one of the foldable joints 10. Specifically, the end of the lower cross bar 24 and the rear end of the bottom bar 22 are respectively connected to the connecting end of the first connector 11 and the connecting end of the second connector 12 of the corresponding foldable joint 10. Thus, the bottom bars 22 and the lower cross bar 24 can pivot and be folded.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the preferred embodiment, the lower end of each of the upright posts 21 is connected to the connecting end of the foldable joint 10 via a resilient element 25, such that the upright posts 21 and the upper cross bar 23 can sway relative to the bottom bars 22 and the lower cross bar 24. Specifically, the resilient element 25 is a spring.

With further reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, in the preferred embodiment, the upper cross bar 23 and the lower cross bar 24 are telescopic, so as to adjust a width of the goal frame. Take the upper cross bar 23 for example. The upper cross bar 23 has an outer mounting tube 231, a sliding tube 232, and a holding ring 233.

The outer mounting tube 231 has a connecting end, a mounting end, at least one cut groove 2311, an outer thread 2312, and an inner stop 2313. The connecting end of the outer mounting tube 231 is connected to a corresponding one of the connecting ends of a corresponding one of the foldable joints 10. The mounting end of the outer mounting tube 231 is opposite to the connecting end of the outer mounting tube 231. The at least one cut groove 2311 is axially formed in the mounting end of the outer mounting tube 231. The outer thread 2312 is formed on an outer surface of the outer mounting tube 231 and is disposed adjacent to the mounting end of the outer mounting tube 231. The inner stop 2313 is formed on an inner surface of the outer mounting tube 231 and is disposed adjacent to the mounting end of the outer mounting tube 231.

The sliding tube 232 has a connecting end, a sliding end, and an outer stop 2321. The connecting end of the sliding tube 232 is connected to a corresponding one of the connecting ends of a corresponding one of the foldable joints 10. The sliding end of the sliding tube 232 is opposite to the connecting end of the sliding tube 232 and protrudes in the mounting end of the outer mounting tube 231. The outer stop 2321 is formed on an outer surface of the sliding tube 232, is disposed adjacent to the sliding end of the sliding tube 232, and is mounted between the inner stop 2313 and the connecting end of the outer mounting tube 231. The outer stop 2321 of the sliding tube 232 selectively abuts the inner stop 2313 of the outer mounting tube 231, such that the sliding tube 232 does not depart from the outer mounting tube 231 and a maximum length of the upper cross bar 23 is restricted.

The holding ring 233 is mounted around the mounting end of the outer mounting tube 31 and has an inner thread 2331. The inner thread 2331 is formed on an inner surface of the holding ring 233 and selectively engages with the outer thread 2312 of the outer mounting tube 231.

With the at least one cut groove 2311 formed in the mounting end of the outer mounting tube 231, when the inner thread 2331 of the holding ring 233 engages with the outer thread 2312 of the outer mounting tube 231, the mounting end of the outer mounting tube 231 is pressed to hold the sliding tube 232 securely. Accordingly, relative positions of the outer mounting tube 231 and the sliding tube 232 are fixed, and a length of the upper cross bar 23 is also fixed.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the preferred embodiment, the sliding tube 232 includes an outer tube 232 a and an inner tube 232 b. The outer tube 232 a and the inner tube 232 b are two separate parts coaxially connected with each other. The outer tube 232 a has two ends respectively connected to the corresponding connecting end of the corresponding foldable joint 10 and an end of the inner tube 232 b. The inner tube 232 b is mounted in the outer mounting tube 231. The outer stop 2321 of the sliding tube 232 is formed on an outer surface of the inner tube 232 b.

Preferably, an outer diameter of the inner tube 232 b is smaller than an inner diameter of the outer mounting tube 231, such that the inner tube 232 b can protrude in the outer mounting tube 231. An outer diameter of the outer tube 232 a is equal to an outer diameter of the outer mounting tube 231, such that an outer surface of the outer tube 232 a is flush with the outer surface of the outer mounting tube 231 when the inner tube 232 b is completely mounted into the outer mounting tube 231.

With further reference to FIG. 8, in another preferred embodiment, the outer tube 232 a′ and the inner tube 232 b′ of the sliding tube 232′ may be integrally formed as a single part.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, for setting up the goal frame, the first and second connectors 11, 12 of each of the foldable joints 10 are pivoted to allow the axial line of the first connector 11 to be perpendicular to the axial line of the second connector 12. Thus, the goal frame is unfolded. Then the retaining tenon 13 of each of the foldable joints 10 is pushed into the mortise recess 112 to engage with the first connector 11, such that the first and second connectors 11, 12 are fixed at the specific relative angle. Accordingly, relative positions of the upright posts 21, the bottom bars 22, the upper cross bar 23, and the lower cross bar 24 are also fixed. A net can be further attached to the unfolded goal frame. With the resilient elements 25 mounted on the lower ends of the upright posts 21, when the upright posts 21 are hit by a ball, the upright posts 21 and the upper cross bar 23 can sway relative to the bottom bars 22 and the lower cross bar 24 instead of turning upside down.

With further reference to FIG. 9, for folding the goal frame, the retaining tenon 13 of each of the foldable joints 10 is pushed out of the mortise recess 112. Then the first connectors 11 and the second connectors 12 of the foldable joints 10 that connect the upright posts 21 and the bottom bars 22 are pivoted to allow the upright posts 21 and the upper cross bar 23 to overlap the bottom bars 22 and the lower cross bar 24.

With further reference to FIG. 10, then the first connectors 11 and the second connectors 12 of the foldable joints 10 that connect the upright posts 21 and the upper cross bar 23 and connect the bottom bars 22 and the lower cross bar 24 are pivoted to allow the upright posts 21, the bottom bars 22, the upper cross bar 23, and the lower cross bar 24 to overlap. Thus, the folded goal frame is convenient for storage and transportation.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A goal frame comprising: multiple foldable joints, each of the foldable joints having a first connector having a connecting end; and a second connector pivotally connected to the first connector and having a connecting end; wherein the first connector and the second connector selectively pivot relative to each other or are fixed at a relative angle; two upright posts separately disposed parallel to each other, each of the upright posts having an upper end and a lower end; two bottom bars separately disposed parallel to each other, each of the bottom bars having a rear end and a front end, the front ends of the bottom bars respectively positioned toward the lower ends of the upright posts, the front end of each of the bottom bars connected to the lower end of a corresponding one of the upright posts via one of the foldable joints, the front end of the bottom bar and the lower end of the upright post respectively connected to the connecting end of the first connector and the connecting end of the second connector of the corresponding foldable joint; an upper cross bar having two opposite ends respectively positioned toward the upper ends of the upright posts, each of the ends of the upper cross bar connected to the upper end of a corresponding one of the upright posts via one of the foldable joints, the end of the upper cross bar and the upper end of the upright post respectively connected to the connecting end of the first connector and the connecting end of the second connector of the corresponding foldable joint; a lower cross bar having two opposite ends respectively positioned toward the rear ends of the bottom bars, each of the ends of the lower cross bar connected to the rear end of a corresponding one of the bottom bars via one of the foldable joints, the end of the lower cross bar and the rear end of the bottom bar respectively connected to the connecting end of the first connector and the connecting end of the second connector of the corresponding foldable joint; wherein the first connector of each of the foldable joints further has a tenoning end; an axial line; two side panels separately protruding from the tenoning end of the first connector, each of the side panels having a proximal end and an inner surface; a mortise recess defined between the side panels; and at least one engaging groove formed in at least one of the inner surfaces of the side panels, each of the at least one engaging groove extending perpendicular to the axial line of the first connector and having two opposite ends, one of the ends of the engaging groove extending through the proximal end of the side panel; wherein the second connector of each of the foldable joints further has a tenoning end; an axial line; a tenoning protrusion protruding from the tenoning end of the second connector, extending along the axial line of the second connector, selectively protruding in the mortise recess, and having a distal end; and a sliding recess formed in the tenoning protrusion, extending along the axial line of the second connector, and extending through the distal end of the tenoning protrusion; and wherein each of the foldable joints further has a retaining tenon, the retaining tenon slidably mounted on the second connector and having two opposite side surfaces; at least one engaging protrusion formed on at least one of the side surfaces of the retaining tenon and selectively engaging in or disengaging from the at least one engaging groove when the retaining tenon slides relative to the second connector and the first connector; and a sliding protrusion formed on a bottom of the retaining tenon and slidably engaging in the sliding recess of the second connector; wherein a bottom surface is defined in the sliding recess of the second connector; wherein the second connector further has a limiting groove formed in the bottom surface of the sliding recess and extending along the axial line of the second connector; and wherein the retaining tenon further has a limiting protrusion formed on the sliding protrusion and slidably protruding in the limiting groove of the second connector.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. The goal frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sliding recess of the second connector and the sliding protrusion of the retaining tenon are dovetailed in cross-section and correspond in size with each other.
 5. The goal frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower end of each of the upright posts is connected to the connecting end of the foldable joint via a resilient element.
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. The goal frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper cross bar and the lower cross bar are telescopic.
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled)
 11. The goal frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the upper and the lower cross bars has an outer mounting tube having a connecting end connected to a corresponding one of the connecting ends of a corresponding one of the foldable joints; a mounting end; at least one cut groove axially formed in the mounting end of the outer mounting tube; and an outer thread formed on an outer surface of the outer mounting tube and disposed adjacent to the mounting end of the outer mounting tube; a sliding tube having a connecting end connected to a corresponding one of the connecting ends of a corresponding one of the foldable joints; and a sliding end protruding in the mounting end of the outer mounting tube; and a holding ring mounted around the mounting end of the outer mounting tube and having an inner thread, the inner thread formed on an inner surface of the holding ring and selectively engaging with the outer thread of the outer mounting tube.
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. The goal frame as claimed in claim 11, wherein the outer mounting tube further has an inner stop formed on an inner surface of the outer mounting tube and disposed adjacent to the mounting end of the outer mounting tube; and the sliding tube further has an outer stop formed on an outer surface of the sliding tube, disposed adjacent to the sliding end of the sliding tube, and mounted between the inner stop and the connecting end of the outer mounting tube.
 15. (canceled)
 16. (canceled)
 17. The goal frame as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sliding tube includes an outer tube and an inner tube, the outer tube has two ends respectively connected to the corresponding connecting end of the corresponding foldable joint and an end of the inner tube, the inner tube is mounted in the outer mounting tube; and the outer stop of the sliding tube is formed on an outer surface of the inner tube.
 18. (canceled)
 19. (canceled)
 20. The goal frame as claimed in claim 17, wherein an outer diameter of the inner tube is smaller than an inner diameter of the outer mounting tube; and an outer diameter of the outer tube is equal to an outer diameter of the outer mounting tube. 